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iCloud Photos alternatives: 7 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave iCloud Photos: only 5 GB free, and no Android app. We ranked 7 alternatives by how directly each one replaces iCloud Photos, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Google Photos currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Ente Photos logoEnte PhotosFree plan + paidYesWeb, Windows, macOS +44 of 459.6
  1. Ente Photos logo

    1. Ente PhotosTop pick

    Best for: Privacy-minded families wanting a Google Photos-style app with encryption

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from iCloud Photos

    End-to-end encrypted by default, on every platform including Android.

    Pros

    • End-to-end encrypted with on-device face and text search
    • Open source, audited and self-hostable
    • Three-location replication of every file

    Cons

    • On-device indexing of large libraries is slow
    • Editing tools are basic
    • Smaller company than the big-tech options
    Visit Ente Photos Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Ente Photos a good iCloud Photos alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    10 GB, free forever
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ente.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Replication
    Stored in 3 locations
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ente.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes, audited and self-hostable
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ente.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Founded
    2020
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ente.io(opens source in a new tab)

The best iCloud Photos alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Google Photos logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for most people

Google Photos

Works on Android too, with stronger search and more free space.

Immich logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for a free option

Immich

Self-hosted library with iPhone backup and no subscription.

Amazon Photos logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Amazon Photos

Unlimited photo storage if you already pay for Prime.

Ente Photos logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for open source

Ente Photos

End-to-end encrypted by default, on every platform including Android.

Ente Photos logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for self-hosting

Ente Photos

End-to-end encrypted by default, on every platform including Android.

Mylio Photos logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for Mac

Mylio Photos

Keep the library on your own devices and sync it without a cloud.

Amazon Photos logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for Windows

Amazon Photos

Unlimited photo storage if you already pay for Prime.

Ente Photos logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for Linux

Ente Photos

End-to-end encrypted by default, on every platform including Android.

Google Photos logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for iPhone and Android

Google Photos

Works on Android too, with stronger search and more free space.

Google Photos logo

Best iCloud Photos alternative for working in the browser

Google Photos

Works on Android too, with stronger search and more free space.

iCloud Photos alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to iCloud Photos?

Google Photos ranks first right now. Works on Android too, with stronger search and more free space. Amazon Photos and Ente Photos follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to iCloud Photos?

Yes. Google Photos (free plan + paid), Amazon Photos (free plan + paid), Ente Photos (free plan + paid) and Immich (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to iCloud Photos?

Yes: Ente Photos and Immich. Ente Photos and Immich can also be self-hosted.

Which iCloud Photos alternatives work on Linux?

Ente Photos runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from iCloud Photos?

The complaints we hear most: only 5 GB free; no Android app; bulk export out of iCloud is slow.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces iCloud Photos, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.